Wombat Research Centre

The Wombat Research Centre is a Central Queensland community initiative to help save the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. The Wombat Research Centre was established at Rockhampton Zoo in 2001.

There are two major aims:

1. To develop assisted reproductive techniques on the closely related Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat that can be applied to the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat

2. To raise the profile of the northern hairy-nosed wombat by involving the community in promotional and educational activities

To date, the Wombat Research Centre has been successful in breeding 3 southern hairy-nosed wombats.

Twelve wombats are kept in a system of artificial burrows with adjoining yards. The design of the Wombat Research Centre enables easy access for research purposes.


Development of assisted reproductive techniques

The majority of Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats are males.

There are no more than 30 breeding females in the population.

Reproductive research at the Wombat Research Centre will concentrate on:

• Understanding breeding cycles of hairy-nosed wombats
• Natural breeding of wombats in captivity.
• Development of husbandry techniques.
• Artificial insemination

Partners in the Wombat Research Centre

There are four major partners involved in the Wombat Research Centre:

'Wiggles' the baby southern hairy-nosed wombat. The 3rd baby SHW to be born at the Wombat Research Centre (WRC).

Lindsay Hogan (researcher) and 'Esme' the southern hairy-nosed wombat at the WRC.

Southern hairy-nosed wombats asleep in their den at the WRC.

'Ashley' the southern hairy-nosed wombat hiding out in a digging champer at the WRC

Back to top